Protective scarf

ABSTRACT

Provided are multiple embodiments of a protective scarf. In each embodiment of the present invention, the protective scarf defines a central portion, one edge of which is outfitted with an elastic band which extends along at least a portion of the length of such edge. Additionally, attached to one side or face of the central portion is an interior face panel or shield which covers the wearer&#39;s nose and mouth when the central portion is selectively moved from a collapsed position residing at or below the wearer&#39;s chin, to an extended position wherein it pulled upwardly to cover the wearer&#39;s mouth and nose. In each embodiment of the scarf of the present invention, the elastic band integrated into the central portion, and a fastening mechanism also included on the scarf, are collectively operative to maintain the central portion in its extended position despite movement of the wearer&#39;s head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/305,073, filed Feb. 16, 2010.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to articles of wearing appareland, more particularly, to a scarf which is uniquely configured toprovide the protective functions typically associated with a scarf(e.g., neck and facial warming), as well as optional protection from thespread of germs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Even a cursory review of media headlines demonstrates that there is aheightened global awareness amongst the general public regarding therisks associated with airborne disease transmission, a recent examplebeing the world wide fears attributable to the spread of swine flu.Protective face masks that cover the nose and mouth of the wearer tofilter air and/or prevent the spread of germs are well known in theprior art. Such masks take on many forms, including disposable moldedmasks that substantially fit the contour over the bridge of the nose andaround the mouth of the wearer, and flexible masks such as those usedfor surgery. These masks typically include one or more bands forattachment around the back of the head to retain the mask over thewearer's nose and mouth. Other masks of this type provide for an earloop attachment wherein bands extending from the side of the mask looparound the back of the wearer's ears. While these types of masks providecertain levels of efficacy in relation to protecting against theinhalation and transmission of airborne contaminants or germs, theaesthetic attributes of such masks results in their use being largelyconfined to medical and laboratory environments (e.g., hospitals), orspecialized industrial environments. In this regard, individuals wearingthese types of masks outside of such clinical or specialized industrialsettings are often subject to unwanted stares or scrutiny, thusdeterring mask usage.

In contrast to the protective masks described above, conventionalscarves, which are staple items of wearing apparel of the generalpublic, typically comprise long pieces of cloth having a length greaterthan their width dimension, and are most often used to keep a wearer'sneck protected from cold and wind. Most scarves, after being wrappedaround the neck of a wearer, can be pulled upwardly so as to cover thoseportions of the wearer's face (i.e., the nose and the mouth) which wouldalso be covered by a protective mask having one of the aforementioneddesigns. Thus, though a conventional scarf, when extended over thewearer's nose and mouth, may be used to mimic some of the germtransmission prevention characteristics of protective masks, the designsof currently known scarves are not particularly well suited to thisparticular purpose of use. More particularly, when extended to cover thenose and mouth of the wearer, conventional scarves lack structuralfeatures which allow the same to be easily maintained in this particularorientation. In this regard, even minor movements of the wearer's headtend to give rise to a loosening which causes the scarf to falldownwardly over at least the wearer's nose, and more often the both thewearer's nose and mouth.

The protective scarf constructed in accordance with the presentinvention addresses the need in the marketplace for a protective devicewhich provides many of the safeguards of the aforementioned protectivemasks, but has the more desirable aesthetic qualities of a conventionalscarf. Thus, use of the protective scarf constructed in accordance withthe present invention need not be confined to any particularenvironment, and is perfectly suited for use in environments such as thework place, shopping malls, or other venues frequented by highconcentrations of individuals. These, as well as other features andadvantages of the present invention, will be described in more detailbelow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multipleembodiments of a protective scarf. In each embodiment of the presentinvention, the protective scarf defines a central portion, one edge ofwhich is outfitted with an elastic band which extends along at least aportion of the length of such edge. Additionally, attached to one sideor face of the central portion is an interior face panel or shield whichcovers the wearer's nose and mouth when the central portion isselectively moved from a collapsed position residing at or below thewearer's chin, to an extended position wherein it pulled upwardly tocover the wearer's mouth and nose. In each embodiment of the scarf ofthe present invention, the elastic band integrated into the centralportion, and a fastening mechanism also included on the scarf, arecollectively operative to maintain the central portion in its extendedposition despite movement of the wearer's head.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will becomemore apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a protective scarf constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back plan view of the protective scarf shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the protective scarf of the firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as operatively wrapped about the neckof a wearer;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the protective scarf of the firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as operatively wrapped about the neckof a wearer, but further depicting the protective scarf in a deployedstate covering the nose and mouth of the wearer;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, butfurther illustrating a portion of a wearer's face in phantom to depictthe relative orientation of an interior face shield of the protectivescarf relative to the wearer's nose and mouth when the protective scarfis deployed in the manner shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but depicting avariant of the protective scarf of the first embodiment wherein theinterior face shield is selectively detachable from the remainderthereof;

FIG. 8 is a back plan view similar to FIG. 2, but depicting anothervariant of the protective scarf of the first embodiment wherein one ofthe flap portions thereof is outfitted with at least one storage pocket;

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of a protective scarf constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a back plan view of the protective scarf of the secondembodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a is a front perspective view of the protective scarf of thesecond embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as operatively wrapped aboutthe neck of a wearer;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the protective scarf of thesecond embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as operatively wrapped aboutthe neck of a wearer, but further depicting the protective scarf in adeployed state covering the nose and mouth of the wearer; and

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the protective scarf of the secondembodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as operatively wrapped about the neckof a wearer.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detaileddescription to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, andnot for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-6 depict a protectivescarf 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention. The scarf 10 has an elongate, generally quadrangularconfiguration, and is preferably fabricated from a sheet of a soft,pliable fabric material which defines an inner surface 11 and an opposedouter surface 13. When viewed from the perspective shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the scarf 10 also defines an elongate, longitudinally extending first(top) edge 12, an elongate, longitudinally extending second (bottom)edge 14, a laterally extending first (left) side edge 16, and alaterally extending second (right) side edge 18. As further seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the width of the scarf 10 as taken between the first andsecond edges 12, 14 is not uniform. Rather, the scarf 10 includes twogathered portions 20, each of which is each held together by suitablestitching. The gathered portions 20 are disposed adjacent respectiveones of the opposed sides of a central portion 22 of the scarf 10. Inthis regard, the gathered portions 20 essentially define reduced widthareas of demarcation between the central portion 22 and an opposed pairof elongate flap portions 24 of the scarf 10, each of the flap portions24 defining a respective one of the first and second side edges 16, 18.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inclusion ofthe gathered portions 20 in the scarf 10 is optional, and that suchgathered portions 20 may be omitted without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

In the scarf 10, that portion of the first edge 12 extending along(i.e., spanning) the central portion 22 preferably includes an elongateband or strip of a resilient material (e.g., an elastic band 26)disposed therein. As best seen in FIG. 6, the elastic band 26 iscaptured within a complimentary pocket defined by folding over andthereafter attaching a portion of the scarf 10 to the inner surface 11thereof. In the scarf 10, it is contemplated that the opposed ends ofthe elastic band 26 will be secured to the scarf 10 at locations whichdo not extend beyond respective ones of the gathered portions 20. Thefunctionality of the elastic band 26 will be discussed in more detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the scarf 10 further comprises aninterior face panel or shield 28 which is secured to a portion of theinner surface 11 thereof. More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 2, theface shield 28 is positioned upon the central portion 22 of the scarf10, and is sized and configured to cover a substantial portion of theinner surface 11 defined by the central portion 22. The face shield 28is preferably made of a soft, pliable fabric material. The preferredmethod of facilitating the attachment of the face shield 28 to the innersurface 11 of the central portion 22 is by three (3) elongate stitchingseams, one of which extends along the first edge 12, one of whichextends along the second edge 14, and one of which extends substantiallyintermediate and in generally parallel relation to the other two seams.By virtue of this attachment method, the face shield 28 and centralportion 22 collectively define a pair of pockets 30 which are mosteasily seen in FIG. 6 and are adapted to accommodate, for example,disposable tissues. However, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the face shield 28 may alternatively be attached to acentral portion 22 in a manner which does not facilitate the formationof the pockets 30. Additionally, though the face shield 28 is shown inFIG. 2 as being sized to span virtually the entire width or distancebetween those portions of the first and second edges 12, 14 extendingalong the central portion 22, those of ordinary skill in the art willfurther recognize that the face shield 28 may be fabricated so as to beof reduced width and/or increased length in comparison to that shown inFIG. 2 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The scarf 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention isfurther preferably provided with a first fastener 32 and a secondfastener 34 which are secured to respective ones of the inner and outersurfaces 11, 13. More particularly, the first fastener 32 is secured tothe outer surface 13 and located upon one of the gathered portions 20,the first fastener 32 being located closer to the first edge 12 than tothe second edge 14. Similarly, the second fastener 34 is secured to theinner surface 11 and located upon the remaining one of the gatheredportions 20, the second fastener 34 also being disposed closer to thefirst edge 12 than the second edge 14. The first and second fasteners32, 34 are each preferably fabricated from an elongate strip of hook andloop fastener material (i.e., Velcro®).

As is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second fasteners 32,34, when coupled to each other subsequent to the wrapping of the centralportion 22 of the scarf about the neck of the wearer 36, are operativeto maintain the central portion 22 in firm engagement to the wearer'sneck, with the flap portions 24 thereafter being capable of any suitablearrangement about the wearer's neck and/or over the wearer's shoulders.As is further apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the firm engagement of thecentral portion 22 to the wearer's neck attributable to the releasablecoupling of the first and second fasteners 32, 34 to each other allowsthe central portion 22 to be selectively moved between a first,collapsed position (shown in FIG. 3) and a second, extended position(shown in FIG. 4). When the central portion 22 is in the collapsedposition shown in FIG. 3, the same, and in particular that portion ofthe first edge 12 including the elastic band 26 therein, extends belowthe chin of the wearer 36. Conversely, when the central portion 22 ismoved by the wearer 36 to its extended position, that portion of thefirst edge 12 extending along the central portion 22 and including theelastic band 26 therein extends over the bridge of the nose and beneaththe eyes of the wearer 36, thus causing the central portion 22 tocompletely cover the nose and mouth of the wearer 36. Advantageously,the inclusion of the elastic band 26 within that portion of the firstedge 12 spanning the central portion 22 assists in maintaining thecentral portion 22 in its extended orientation despite movement of thewearer's head. It will be recognized that when the central portion 22 isin its extended position, those portions of the wearer's face covered bythe central portion 22 do not directly contact the inner surface 11, butrather contact the interior face shield 28 attached to that portion ofthe inner surface 11 defined by the central portion 22 as describedabove.

In the scarf 10, the first and second fasteners 32, 34 are eachpreferably fabricated to be of sufficient length so as to provide atleast some measure of adjustability/compatibility to differing necksizes of different wearers of the scarf 10. Additionally, though notshown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the firstand second fasteners 32, 34 shown and described above may be substitutedwith other types of fasteners such as a series of complimentary snapconnectors without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a scarf 10 a which comprises afirst variant of the scarf 10 shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 1-6. The sole distinction between the scarf 10 and the scarf 10 alies in the interior face shield 28 of the scarf 10 a being releasablyattached to that portion of the inner surface 11 defined by the centralportion 22, rather than being permanently secured to the central portion22 through the use of the aforementioned stitched seams. Moreparticularly, in the scarf 10 a, the attachment of the face shield 28 tothe central portion 22 is facilitated by corresponding complimentarystrips 38 of hook and loop fastener material (e.g., Velcro®). As seen inFIG. 7, it is contemplated that the orientations of the fastening strips38 on the inner surface 11 of the central portion 22 and on the faceshield 28 may be such when the face shield 28 is releasably secured tothe central portion 22, the pockets 30 described above in relation tothe scarf 10 are collectively defined by the face shield 28 and centralportion 22 in the scarf 10 a as well.

Referring now FIG. 8, there is shown a scarf 10 b which comprises asecond variant of the scarf 10 shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 1-6. The sole distinction between the scarf 10 b and the scarf 10lies in the attachment of a supplemental strip 40 of material to theinner surface 11 at a distal portion of one of the flap portions 24 in amanner facilitating the formation of a side-by-side pair of pockets 42.As seen in FIG. 8, the strip 40 included in the scarf 10 b is secured tothe inner surface 11 at a location wherein the pockets 42 are disposedadjacent to and along the second side edge 18 defined by one of the flapportions 24. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the strip 40 may be attached to the inner surface 11 of the otherflap portion 24 such that the pockets 42 are disposed adjacent to andextend along the first side edge 16. Along these lines, it is alsocontemplated that two (2) strips 40 may be attached to the inner surface11 such that pockets 42 are located adjacent and extend along respectiveones of each of the first and second side edges 16, 18. Still further,these strip(s) 40 may alternatively be attached to the inner surface 11such that only a single pocket, rather than the aforementioned pair ofpockets 42 is defined thereby.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, there is shown a scarf 100 which isconstructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The scarf 100 has a generally quadrangular configuration, andis preferably fabricated from a sheet of a soft, pliable fabric materialwhich defines an inner surface 111 and an opposed outer surface 113.When viewed from the perspective shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the scarf 100also defines an elongate, longitudinally extending first (top) edge 112,an elongate, longitudinally extending second (bottom) edge 114, alaterally extending first (left) side edge 116, and a laterallyextending second (right) side edge 118. The scarf 100 also defines anopposed pair of flap portions 124 which are disposed adjacent respectiveones of the opposed sides of a central portion 122 of the scarf 100,each of the flap portions 124 defining a respective one of the first andsecond side edges 116, 118. As further seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the widthof the scarf 100 as taken between the first and second edges 112, 114 isnot uniform. In this regard, each of the flap portions 124 includes agathered portion 120 which is each held together by suitable stitching.Thus, the gathered portions 120 are disposed adjacent respective ones ofthe opposed sides of the central portion 122 of the scarf 100. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inclusion of thegathered portions 120 in the flap portions 124 of the scarf 100 isoptional, and that such gathered portions 120 may be omitted withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the scarf 100 that portion of the first edge 112 extending along(i.e., spanning) the central portion 122 preferably includes an elongateband or strip of a resilient material (e.g., an elastic band) disposedtherein. The elastic band is preferably captured within a complimentarypocket defined by folding over and thereafter attaching a portion of thescarf 100 to the inner surface 111 thereof. The functionality of theelastic band will be discussed in more detail below.

As seen in FIG. 10, the scarf 100 further comprises an interior facepanel or shield 128 which is secured to a portion of the inner surface111 thereof. More particularly, the face shield 128 is positioned uponthe central portion 122 of the scarf 100, and is sized and configured tocover a substantial portion of the inner surface 111 defined by thecentral portion 122. The face shield 128 is preferably made of a soft,pliable fabric material. The preferred method of facilitating theattachment of the face shield 128 to the inner surface 111 of thecentral portion 122 is by three (3) elongate stitching seams, one ofwhich extends along the first edge 112, one of which extends along thesecond edge 114, and one of which extends substantially intermediate andin generally parallel relation to the other two seams. By virtue of thisattachment method, the face shield 128 and central portion 122collectively define a pair of pockets 130 which are adapted toaccommodate, for example, disposable tissues. However, those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the face shield 128 mayalternatively be attached to a central portion 122 in a manner whichdoes not facilitate the formation of the pockets 130. Additionally,though the face shield 128 is shown in FIG. 10 as being sized to spanvirtually the entire width or distance between those portions of thefirst and second edges 112, 114 extending along the central portion 122,those of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize that the faceshield 128 may be fabricated so as to be of reduced width and/orincreased length in comparison to that shown in FIG. 10 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Additionally, rather than being permanently attached to the centralportion 122, the face shield 128 may be releasably attached to thecentral portion 122 through the use of suitable fasteners in the samemanner described above in relation to the scarf 10 a shown in FIG. 7.

The scarf 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention isfurther preferably provided with a first fastener 132 and a secondfastener 134 which are secured to respective ones of the inner and outersurfaces 111, 113. More particularly, the first fastener 132 is securedto the outer surface 113 and located upon one of the gathered portions120, the first fastener 132 being located closer to the first edge 112than to the second edge 114. Similarly, the second fastener 134 issecured to the inner surface 111 and located upon the remaining one ofthe gathered portions 120, the second fastener 134 also being disposedcloser to the first edge 112 than the second edge 114. The first andsecond fasteners 132, 134 are each preferably fabricated from anelongate strip of hook and loop fastener material (i.e.,) Velcro®).

As is apparent from FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the first and second fasteners132, 134, when coupled to each other subsequent to the wrapping of theflap portions 124 of the scarf about the neck of the wearer 36, areoperative to maintain the central portion 122 in firm engagement to thewearer's neck. The firm engagement of the central portion 122 to thewearer's neck attributable to the releasable coupling of the first andsecond fasteners 132, 134 to each other allows the central portion 122to be selectively moved between a first, collapsed position (shown inFIG. 11) and a second, extended position (shown in FIG. 12). When thecentral portion 122 is in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 11, thesame, and in particular that portion of the first edge 112 including theelastic band therein, extends below the chin of the wearer 36.Conversely, when the central portion 122 is moved by the wearer 36 toits extended position, that portion of the first edge 112 extendingalong the central portion 122 and including the elastic band thereinextends over the bridge of the nose and beneath the eyes of the wearer36, thus causing the central portion 122 to completely cover the noseand mouth of the wearer 36. Advantageously, the inclusion of the elasticband within that portion of the first edge 112 spanning the centralportion 122 assists in maintaining the central portion 122 in itsextended orientation despite movement of the wearer's head. It will berecognized that when the central portion 122 is in its extendedposition, those portions of the wearer's face covered by the centralportion 122 do not directly contact the inner surface 111, but rathercontact the interior face shield 128 attached to that portion of theinner surface 111 defined by the central portion 122 as described above.

In the scarf 100, the first and second fasteners 132, 134 are eachpreferably fabricated to be of sufficient length so as to provide atleast some measure of adjustability/compatibility to differing necksizes of different wearers of the scarf 100. Additionally, though notshown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the firstand second fasteners 132, 134 shown and described above may besubstituted with other types of fasteners such as a series ofcomplimentary snap connectors without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention.The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplaryembodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by thespecification or implied by the specification, such as variations instructure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may beimplemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

1. A protective scarf wearable around the neck and face of a wearer, theprotective scarf comprising: a central portion and a pair of opposedflap portions, the central portion being disposed between the pair ofopposed flap portions, the central portion and the pair of opposed flapportions collectively defining an inner surface and an opposed outersurface; and a shield coupled to the inner surface at the centralportion; the protective scarf being configured to be transitionalbetween a first collapsed position wherein the central portion isdisposed over the wearer's neck, and a second extended position whereincentral portion extends over a portion of the wearer's face such thatthe shield covers the wearer's mouth.
 2. The protective scarf as recitedin claim 1, wherein the scarf includes a first edge extendinglongitudinally along the scarf between the pair of opposed flapportions, the scarf further comprising an elastic band disposed adjacentthe first edge and the shield, the elastic band being configured to biasthe pair of opposed flap portions toward each other.
 3. The protectivescarf as recited in claim 2, wherein the scarf includes a second edgeextending longitudinally in spaced relation to the first edge betweenthe pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf being configured tomaintain the second edge adjacent the wearer's chin when the scarf is inthe second extended position.
 4. The protective scarf as recited inclaim 3, wherein the scarf is configured such that the first edgeextends over the bridge of the wearer's nose when the scarf is in thesecond extended position.
 5. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1,further comprising a first fastener coupled to the outer surface and asecond fastener coupled to the inner surface, the first fastener beingcooperatively engageable to the second fastener when the scarf iswrapped around the wearer.
 6. The protective scarf as recited in claim1, wherein the shield releasably coupled to the inner surface.
 7. Theprotective scarf as recited in claim 1 further configured to define apair of gathered portions disposed on respective sides of the centralportion.
 8. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a supplemental strip coupled to the inner surface adjacentone of the pair of opposed flap portions, the supplemental stripdefining at least one pocket.
 9. The protective scarf as recited inclaim 1, wherein the protective shield is fabricated from a pliablefabric material.
 10. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, whereinthe pair of opposed flap portions are configured to extend over arespective shoulder of the wearer when the scarf is wrapped around thewearer's neck.
 11. A protective scarf wearable around the neck and faceof a wearer, the protective scarf comprising: a central portion and apair of opposed flap portions, the central portion being disposedbetween the pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion and thepair of opposed flap portions collectively defining an inner surface, anopposed outer surface, a first edge and an opposed second edge, the pairof opposed flap portions terminating to define a pair of side edgesextending between the first edge and the second edge; a shield coupledto the inner surface at the central portion; and a pair of gatheredportions disposed on respective sides of the central portion andadjacent a respective one of the pair of side edges; the protectivescarf being configured to be transitional between a first collapsedposition wherein the central portion is disposed over the wearer's neck,and a second extended position wherein shield extends over a portion ofthe wearer's face.
 12. The protective scarf as recited in claim 11,wherein the scarf further includes an elastic band disposed adjacent thefirst edge and the shield, the elastic band being configured to bias thepair of opposed flap portions toward each other.
 13. The protectivescarf as recited in claim 12, wherein the scarf includes a second edgeextending longitudinally in spaced relation to the first edge betweenthe pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf being configured tomaintain the second edge adjacent the wearer's chin when the scarf is inthe second extended position.
 14. The protective scarf as recited inclaim 13, wherein the scarf is configured such that the first edgeextends over the bridge of the wearer's nose when the scarf is in thesecond extended position.
 15. The protective scarf as recited in claim11, further comprising a first fastener coupled to the outer surface anda second fastener coupled to the inner surface, the first fastener beingcooperatively engageable to the second fastener when the scarf iswrapped around the wearer.
 16. The protective scarf as recited in claim11, wherein the shield releasably coupled to the inner surface.
 17. Theprotective scarf as recited in claim 11, wherein the protective shieldis fabricated from a pliable fabric material.
 18. A protective scarfwearable around the neck and face of a wearer, the protective scarfcomprising: a central portion and a pair of opposed flap portions, thecentral portion being disposed between the pair of opposed flapportions, the central portion and the pair of opposed flap portionscollectively defining an inner surface and an opposed outer surface; anda shield coupled to the inner surface at the central portion; the scarfbeing configured to be wrappable around the wearer to selectivelydispose the shield over the nose and mouth of the wearer.
 19. Theprotective scarf as recited in claim 18, wherein the scarf includes afirst edge extending longitudinally along the scarf between the pair ofopposed flap portions, the scarf further comprising an elastic banddisposed adjacent the first edge and the shield, the elastic band beingconfigured to bias the pair of opposed flap portions toward each other.20. The protective scarf as recited in claim 18, wherein the shieldreleasably coupled to the inner surface.